Charmed by the Unknown Brazil

When in Rome, do like the Romans - they say…but what about Brazil?

Surely enough, your typical tourist will linger on the Ipanema Beach, or take active part in the Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval…that is if you can do the Samba like the locals, or if you really want to embarrass yourself publicly, by exposing your elephantine grace.

A conscientious tourist will have at least a shot of himself underneath O Cristo Redentor, the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer located on the top of the Corcovado Mountain.

A shot together with the gorgeous dancers, on the Sambodromo. One on the beautiful beaches of Santa Catarina…Or perhaps a shot of the lively, rocky nights in Armação dos Búzios, catching up with the richest of the riches…

I, on the other hand have none of the above. I am a fortuitous tourist and a natural born traveler. While sailing, my itinerary is always imposed on me, but sometimes it’s for the best.

So, what can I tell you about Brazil? Something you haven’t already seen; something you don’t already know?

Maybe your paths have crossed the same places, in which case I am very happy for all the wonderful things you’ve seen. But if you’re planing your first trip to Brazil, here are some notes that may help you find places not (too often) mentioned in the travel guides.

To read the full entry, click on this link. I have a new, wonderful host and I am very excited to contribute with my first story.

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/06/charmed-by-unknown-brazil.html

The Butterflies Farm

Once upon a time, a dreamer thought about a Butterflies farm. And then he made it come true. The Old English word for butterfly was buttorfleoge, apparently because butterflies were thought to steal milk. A similar word is found in Dutch and German, it seems they had the same belief. So, what do humans and butterflies have in common? They both get drunk, for instance. And fall in love. Or, the other way around – they fall in love and get drunk. It doesn’t really matter, the order. Some of them have only 6 days to live. So better make the best out of it.

I learn a new, oxymoronic meaning of “ephemerid”. Ironically, sometimes, it takes forever to become an ephemerid, if you’d believe that. It starts as a small egg, called chorion.

Butterflies leave their eggs on leaves, fixed with a special glue. The egg develops into a worm…well, caterpillar, which eats and eats continuously. It feeds for months. A caterpillar is green, while is still feeding on leaves. You’ll know the time has come for a new stage, when the caterpillar changes its color to dark and seeks shelter under a leaf, or on a tree branch. The chrysalis can be in latent phase for various times, from weeks to months.Then one day, a butterfly emerges.
I still don’t know exactly which butterfly has the shortest life span; but when it comes to live life to the fullest, well, butterflies can certainly do it. Beside the nectar, they drink the fermented juice of fruits touched by the sun, which probably has same effect as the good old whiskey on a chap wondering around in a torrid, scorching day. They drink, they mate, and they die happily ever after.

Kagoshima – I Dreamed of a Beautiful Cherry Blossom

The latest cinema trends have brought the Geishas fascination again to the Western World; maybe in a more glamorous dimension, I would think.
But really, how many people take the time to admire the beauty in a kimono?
I learned that kimonos have different patterns and different colors, for each season. Different styles and different colors for young and old. In the spring - bright colors and spring floral patterns. In autumn, fall colors and fall patterns: designs may include chrysanthemums or maple leaves. In the winter, patterns and designs such as the bamboo, pine trees or plum blossoms are worn, for they signify good luck and prosperity. The fabric also plays a role in the seasons. In the summer, cotton clothes are worn whereas in the fall and winter, heavier or lined clothing is worn.
For women in particular, the kimono is not only worn based on the person’s age but also by their marital status. Young unmarried women wear kimono with long sleeves that are very vibrant, colorful and rich with patterns. Married women or older women would wear simpler more subdued clothes.
As for the stories, I learned that the Sakura flower has its own dance.

Every hand movement, every finger tells a story – it’s all in the angles and in the inclination of the palm. I am dazzled both by the women’s elegant moves and by the perfection of their kimono dynamic, during the dance. They make it look so easy…I learn that the entire kimono clothing has an impressive weight.

The hair style requires hours of preparation, in order to reach perfection.

Do cats pray, I wonder? They certainly love to be around sanctuaries.

Suddenly, Life...

There are very few of us, truly determined to find their way around their lives. The truth is, we waste the most part of our existence waiting.
Waiting for a bus, waiting for a train…For a plane or for the car to be serviced. Waiting for someone or waiting for a phone call. Waiting for the perfect job, for the perfect man or for the perfect woman…for deadlines and results…waiting for a window to open, after the door was closed…or waiting for another door… Waiting for God to take care of us, like He takes care of the birds. Waiting for the Guardian Angel to shed some inspiration. Or for a muse.
We very seldom take the unbeaten path, discovering life as such. We live in comfortable, daily stereotypes, enjoying the sheltered corporate office, doing the 150 keystroke pm, listening the whisper of the mp3 player…So really, how does one prepare for life?
There’s life out there, in case you have forgotten. Just take a stroll, open each door and in the end you’ll be surprised by its Diversity, oozing from each and every corner.

There's No Place Like Home

There's no place like home, the story tells... And there are many good things in the world; but nothing compares with Fridays.
Fridays, bringing the scent of a well deserved week- end. The scent of my granny’s freshly baked bread. On the Country side you need to think both practically and globally. If you’re going to smolder the oven, then you better do it right. You can’t just make bread every day or every second day. You can’t bake too much, either, as it would go stale. So she worked out her own calculations and found out that a weekly operation will fit best our house’s needs.
In order to feed the whole house for about a week, you need around 4 or 5 kilos of flour. This was a serious thing, to wake up early in the morning and make the dough. She never used a mixer or any of the modern technology. Just her palms. And few drops of oil, poured on her hands, so the mix won’t stick. She’d knead the dough at ease, smiling, with the same serenity, every time. She made it seem a child’s play. At times she’d raise her arm against her forehead, trying to wipe a drop of sweat. Still smiling. After a while, she’d put the dough to rest for few hours and start preparing the pans. For me, this was always a mystery: two handfuls of dough in each, this will result in beautiful, big, round breads.
But there was never too much time to think about it; as soon as the bread was out of the oven, her hands were breaking the first one and shared it to us, all the kids gathered around the stove.
I was about 5 years old, when I started my first exploring adventure. I took the bread, still warm, I stuck it in my pocket and I head out to the hills surrounding the house. The path was somewhat steep and sinuous. Soon enough, the house was out of my visual array – I was somewhat afraid that I won’t find my way back home, but I kept walking, driven by the thought that I am going to bring her the most beautiful flowers that she had ever seen. My hands launched into a veritable vegetal pogrom – I must have been walking for hours and hours, picking up flowers, because I entered the porch together with the dusk.
She never grounded me for being out late…she smiled, when I returned. And so was I…
That day, I had discovered that suddenly there were no borders anymore; no boundaries could keep the world away from me. Since then, I never stopped exploring. But every trip refreshes in me this memory, lingering on…a somewhat forgotten bread crust aroma.
I am a natural – born traveler. My days are always fast and always on the move. Generally moving…wherever on the World’s Chart. Today, there’s no freshly baked bread to start a great week –end. In fact, I hardly have left any notion of week–end, but up to these days, in Fridays, there is the memory of a certain scent. The scent of my freedom.

I have no pictures left of my granny's house. In fact, I haven't been there in many years, after the house was sold, afraid of what I might find. But Transilvania has many similar places and I found one where I was really happy. And everywhere I go, the memory of my special place will follow.

Peru - A Peek through Eternity (III)

Ancient Traditions

Peruvian agriculture is based on terraced horticulture. A great part of the country is dominated by arid areas, thus every square centimetre of fertile land will be used.
The old Inca irrigation systems are still in place and used by the locals.

Weaving is the main occupation throughout the country and the Inca traditions are kept alive.

Children learn from an early age the art of weaving, knitting and combining the colours.

Incas believed that Pachamama, (a local version of Mother Earth) looked after the crops and caused the earthquakes.
Today, the Quechua populations still venerate the “good mother” by small toasts before festivities and family gatherings. The first sip of chicha (drink made out of maize), is spilled on the floor as a sign of honour. Representations of Pachamama are seen in every traditional house.

Ceramic arts are also a secular tradition which now brings substantial revenue. Tourists are taking home souvenirs, sustaining small communities.

Children are taught to respect their historical heritage by taking an active part in community Festivals & Fairs.

A villager near Cuzco, offering weaving lessons.

The wool is dyed with various natural pigments; the colourful Peruvian textiles are famous world wide.

Every village has its own patterns, shapes and stories.

The Animals

Peru raises various species of the Camelidae family: Vicuñas, Llamas and Alpaca.

Vicuñas are protected by law and they can only be sheared in government-authorised “chacus” (communal efforts). Extremely hard to tame, they can only be shorn every 3 years. Their wool is used for the finest textiles Peru offers.

Llamas and alpacas are the most common animals on the Andean regions. From the times of the Incas, llamas and alpacas have been used as pack animals, as well as for more domestic purposes: garments, fertilizer, fuel, hides and meat.

Corridas (Bull fights) are one of the most enjoyed entertainments. Special breeds of bulls are being raised and it is not unusual to see occasional fights on the road.

Peruvians are proud of their unique, ancient breed of dog, Viringo. These dogs have no fur, only a patch of hair on the top of their head. Their body temperature is quite high and it is believed that the old Incas were using Viringos to cure asthma, by placing the dog on the patient’s chest. As a symbol of the Inca inheritance, every historical site has to own at least one Viringo dog.

In the mountains, the villagers are aware that their survival is conditioned by their animals and they celebrate this bond in a distinct way. In Chivay, a yearly ritual includes honouring the hawks and the bulls.

Peru - A Peek through Eternity (II)

Sillustani - Puno

Puno, also named the “Folkloric Capital of Peru”, has many things to offer to the avid tourist. One of its most famous sites is Sillustani, a pre- Incan burial ground built by the Aymara-speaking Collas - a population living in the Titicaca region before the Incas. The kings and nobles were buried in these towers, together with their riches.

The Sillustani towers named “Chullpas” are still an enigma for the historians, who have not yet figured entirely their construction style. Chullpas are regarded as the most perfect cylindrical constructions of ancient Peru, and in fact, such perfection can be found nowhere else in South America. The Collas believed in being reborn and careful preparations were made for life after death. The rebirth mythology is quite rich. The interior part of the tombs is the representation of a woman's uterus; and the corpses were buried as mummies in a foetal position. It was believed that this would recreate their birth.
A keen tourist with an attentive eye can also decipher lizards carved into the tomb stone. Because they regrow their tails, lizards were venerated as a symbol of never-ending life. Another unique detail, the tombs’ only openings face east, where it was believed the Sun was reborn by Mother Earth each day.

The engineering involved in the towers construction is more complex than anything the Incas have ever built. After Incas have conquered the Aymara cultures, the Chullpas were still preserved.

The Sillustani ruins co-exist in harmony with the present. The ways of old Inca lifestyle have not changed too much; I am about to find out during my voyage.

The Quechua speaking population living on the Altiplano, “Los Campesiños”, have kept the same housing style for hundreds of years: exterior walls made out of stones are protecting the small adobe brick houses.

Locals are very welcoming and they introduce you quickly to their routines.
Melissa is a 4 year old and she expressed her wish to show us her house. My first surprise: giant popcorn.

Animals, especially cattle, are essential for surviving. Every “campesiño” house (farmer) has at least a pair of bulls on top of the roof, or on the entrance archway. The farmers believe these animals have the power of looking after the house, protecting them from evil.

A local superstition; mandibulae of the sacrificed sheep are kept under the house, as this will bring prosperity over the owners. The kitchen is simple, reduced to the minimum. Only essential utensils are kept and the ceramic is similar to the old Inca style. Grains, potatoes, papas, corn - these are the main ingredients of a typical farmer’s diet.The houses are small and functional. Their adobe walls keep cool during the summer and warm during the winter. The crop is deposited in clay recipients.

The agriculture is still traditional in some remote areas and the tools used are quite primitive.

Traditional clothing is still preferred on the Altiplano. Women are weaving and sewing, proudly preserving their traditional patterns.

Infants and small children are most affected by the quick weather changes. Their young skin does not have the endurance of the parents and their cheeks get quickly burned by the wind and the sun. This endurance is built over the years and the best present a tourist can give a child is sun-screen; therefore Melissa gets my entire supply.

Peru - A Peek through Eternity (I)

Titicaca Lake

I am again at one end of the world, contemplating the beginning of a great civilization. The old Inca legends place Lake Titicaca as the primordial centre of their culture. The two children of Sun God, Manco Capac and his sister consort Mama Ocllo, have emerged from the silver waters of Titicaca Lake and together they founded the Inca Empire. During and after the Spanish Conquest, the lake has been considered the secret hide-out of the Incas Empire gold, due to its spiritual significance. This has inspired many fortune-hunters to venture diving into the cool waters.
Amidst the adventurers, celebrities have tried their luck, too. Oceanographer & Scientist Jacques Yves Cousteau has been exploring the depths for 8 weeks, using mini- submarines. He found no gold, but something more precious: a unique 60 centimetre tri- colours frog that apparently never gets out to surface.

Floating Islands - Los Uros

The first thing one learns is a patriotic lesson. Peruvians are very proud of both their heritage, as well as their natural resources. So once you’ve learned the geography of Lake Titicaca, the Floating Islands are open for you to explore.

Around 3000 descendants of the old Uros are living nowadays. Only a few hundred choose to remain on the islands.There are around 42 floating islands on the lake, all man-made. These Islands consist of totora plant (reed) and soil layers. Basically, totora dense roots provide the support for the islands. An island lasts around 30 years. Julio, our guide, explains that Uros leave a hole in the middle of each islet and monitor the depth. When time comes, they start building a new islet and move on. The Uros use totora for almost everything in their daily life, especially in their diet and medicine. The white bottom is eaten for iodine, in order to prevent goitre. They also use the plant for tea and to wrap the body area where they experience pain.The Uros live in huts made of totora.
During the rainy season, the reed needs to be replaced, as it rots at a fast pace. Totora is also added continuously to the Island’s base. The main occupation of the islanders is fishing. The “native” fish species are killifish and catfish. Trout was artificially introduced in 1939.

The Uros use the totora plant to build their famous balsas. (Reed boats)

Titicaca means “Rock of the Puma” and the balsas are true to the legend. Each balsa is finished with a puma head.
The Norwegian explorer and ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl used these crafts as a model for his famous Kon -Tiki expedition, in which he sailed by raft 4,300 miles (7,000 km) from South America to the Tuamotu Islands.Lifestyle remains simple on the floating islands; however the Uros do not reject technology, as one would be tempted to imagine. The best present they have ever received, I am told, were the solar panels given by the ex - President Fujimori.

The islands have slowly become one of the most interesting destinations in Peru.
Los Uros open their houses to the tourists; explain their traditions and life style. Women are supplementing family’s income by selling handmade art crafts.
Men keep looking after the islands’ stability. When we arrived, they were starting the construction of a new island. Small children are schooled on the Islands, both in a Traditional and a Christian School. Older kids and students have to complete their education on the mainland.

Their toys reflect daily life as a mirror and it’s not very unusual to see little boys driving their father’s boat without supervision.

Taquile Island

The population on Taquile Island is a very small community and until 1950s they were relatively isolated from the mainland. Currently, around 1700 people live on the island.

Taquileños are famous world wide for their hand-woven textiles; the clothing articles made here are renowned to have the highest quality in Peru. The work of spinning and weaving is done mainly by the men and this tradition goes back to the ancient Inca, Pukara and Colla civilizations.

Community life and collective decision-making is the key for a peaceful living. The Taquileños society is based on collectivism and on the old Inca moral: “do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy”. As an outstanding proof of their honesty; the island does not have police or jail; any problems arising within the community are solved by leaders elected annually.

Taquile’s economy consists of fishing, terraced horticulture (mainly potato cultivation), and the revenue brought by the tourism industry.

Locals live modestly, in full harmony with their land. This 3-year old child had no footwear, while the rest of us (tourists) were bundled up and the cold rain was pouring down.

There are no cars or roads on Taquile. The only entrance to the island is a path of stone stairs, climbing up from the lake at a steep pace (approx 600 feet).

There are no horses or donkeys, not even llamas or alpacas; all loads are carried on the shoulders. Taquileños keep only a few cattle and sheep for their daily needs. It was interesting to note that there were no dogs on the island.

A young student is playing traditional Andean music for us. He is dressed with the traditional Taquileño costume.
The most characteristic apparels of Taquileño attire are the “chullo”, a knitted hat and the calendar waistband, which illustrates the annual cycles connected to ritual and agricultural activities.
The calendar waistband has been studied by many historians and researchers as it is a rich source of information which portrays valuable fragments of the oral tradition and of the community and its history.

The chullo, we come to find out, is far from being just a hat. It tells the community a man’s social status and rank. If the chullo has a white part on its bottom, the man is unmarried. After their wedding ceremony, men may choose to keep their initial chullo or change it for a “married man” version, which is plain red.
A community leader has a chullo with richer, brighter colours and earflaps.

Diary on Fast Forward – Yangon, Myanmar

I wish I could say that I have paid my homage to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi this year. The truth is, while visiting Myanmar in May, I was not as much the individual me, but merely a representative of my Ship. We have been strictly briefed about the Country’s regime and we knew it was no joke, when one of the two pilots that came on the Bridge was there not for giving navigational guidance, but for writing down on a notebook everything said and done, day and night. - “Forget about silly curiosities, we’ve been told. People’s lives could be at stake. Never ask about Aung San Suu Kyi, or about the Military Junta. One will never know, but with a simple question, you could send someone to jail, or even worst, sign his sentence.” Of course, many of our passengers did not think too much before the questions came out…but I don’t want to talk about that.
Before I even start talking about Yangon, I cannot stop but smiling, at the thought. It’s a bit of a paradox, I imagine, that although everyone is sustaining Burma’s Freedom Campaign, their chosen names of their country and former capital are still not fully recognized. Old Burma and Rangoon names have been obliterated by the people of Myanmar and Yangoon. I am soon to discover there is a never ending debate about these names… The name of Myanmar has been used since the 13th century. The country became known as Burma, under the British Empire and then dubbed again “Myanmar” by the State Law and Order Restoration Council in 1989, in a continuous effort to erase the British reminiscences.. While the United Nations accepted the name of Myanmar, the Burmese oppositions groups still refer to “Burma”, as their sign of protest, not recognizing the legitimacy of the military group to name the country. The European Union conveniently refers to the country as Burma/Myanmar. Beyond any etymological, political or purely semantic dispute, I chose to describe the places as I have come in contact with it. I visited Yangon, in Myanmar.
Hope is human, no matter how bad things have been described…We are still set to explore Yangon, with its thousands years of history and cultural relics. We are soon to discover that there is a reason why we have been told to exercise caution. We gave up the thought about investigating the whereabouts of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest; we’re docked quite away from the city, we have only few hours and we decided to take a different spiritual trip. We’re only going to have a furtive look at the pagodas.. The cabs in Yangoon are a bit different. The driver is never alone and he never speaks directly to his passengers; conveniently, a “guide” rides along and tells you little stories about the city. It’s actually an enjoyable talk, until he tenders you a notebook, asking for your name and full contact information. It’s funny how many people have listed their phone numbers, address, personal and work emails…
Despite everything I’ve heard and read, Myanmar is still a very beautiful country. I am the white foreigner, peering at this mystic, fascinating world. I get the pale glimpse of a tormenting glory. People praying, their hands with the fingers widely spread look like a star, touching their forehead. It’s like their inner energy is spreading towards the world, including me. Too ignorant to know, too shy to ask. Small, long haired girls pass by me, laughing innocently at my green skirt. Shaved monks, smile, waiving at me. Downcast eyed novices, carrying the black bowls with their supper. I am not supposed to talk to them, but I can at least return the smile.



The Golden glory on an ancient empire is lying ahead. Shwe – gold and Dagon – former name of Yangon. There it is: Shwedagon Pagoda -The Golden Pagoda of Dagon. Buddhists believe that for this planet, there are 5 Buddha meant to bring Enlightenment to our world. Four of them have already come – the last was Siddhartha Gautama of Kapilavastu in India. Shwedagon Pagoda was built over 2600 years ago, in the time of Gautama himself. If I am not mistaken, this is the only Pagoda containing relics of all 4 past Buddha. I learn there is still hope: one more Buddha is still yet to come…





And if you honestly cannot picture all the gold....well, here it is...




At the end of a day, everyone gets fed, no matter where you’re coming from.


Life has its course, as elsewhere. People make plans, pray or fall in love. Every day is a new beginning for someone, or for another.



Strictly men allowed in here; yet I get a furtive look to what it looks to me the temple of a man’s peace of mind.


Back on my ship, from the height of the Bridge, I take a last look on the fields. I get a new, awakening lesson about what being humble means. I am ashamed I wear silk stockings, while people out there live half of their life with their feet in the mud. I am ashamed I get breakfast, lunch and diner served every day and yet I still find reasons to frown at it…while others are working hard to get a bowl of rice.
We set sail, while the people of Myanmar bring their salute: "Come again to Myanmar"!




The months that followed after, I received a new lesson about the power of a silent protest. Forgive me, Daw! I wished I had your strength. I wished I could have said something, when I had the means to do so.

Diary on fast forward – Notes of a natural-born traveler

Day by day, I am learning more about circumnavigation. Forgotten are my dusty books – this time, I am learning live. I am the Captain of my very own, imaginary boat.

So where have I been so long? Around the world, as usual, except this time, besides the camera and the Navigational Bridge view, I even have a porthole, to add a new vision to my solitary discoveries.
I cannot stop wondering about the times when all you needed was a compass and a brave heart. The Ocean was out there, laying blue, all for you to discover it. There are no more blank spots on the Charts, but I still play the game, discovering new territories even on the crossed paths…New for me, that is.

Seas, oceans, geographical boundaries – like an eternal scholar, I’m always preparing a new homework. I am trying to remember the good reasons for being here. To all the people back home: I do travel for a purpose - I document life. And if I press “click”, it’s really not for sending exotic pictures home, but more for a better understanding of life as such.
Some times, my interest is purely archeological, in places where we go. Sometimes, I am touched by breath taking landscapes or by people we meet – I would have been a great anthropologist, if only not so lazy…
Sometimes, it’s just vivid curiosity. But everywhere we go, there’s something beautiful and new. And while we keep the daily pace, I am forever grateful for all the things I learn.
(And I should beVERY grateful for having very flexible and understanding bosses:)

Where have I been, you say... a short recap:


December 25, 2006 – Onboard M/S Crystal Symphony

It’s Christmas and spleen. There is no snow, no Christmas tree, no Granny’s Honey Ginger Bread and there are definitely no places to go caroling. A wonder around the ship gives a somewhat idea of a festive celebration, but I want to be home, with the Others.

Instead, I learn to adjust and I learn to accept.
Accept that we are different and lead a special life: accept that we are sailors.

And when it comes to improvisations: you’d think I gave up so easily, not having a Christmas tree????

January 3, 2007 – San Diego Zoo

Not that it really matters on which side of the fence you are; the Zoo is the place to learn about adaptation. Also, about socializing.

Despite the thick, rough skin, rhinoceroses are sensitive beings.
They are very protective with their young and they have acute hearing and sense of smell, but poor eyesight over any distance. Most rhinoceroses live around 50 years or more.
The collective noun for a group of rhinoceros is "crash". Quite appropriate, I should say, considering that a powerful rhinoceros, though vegetarian, may be one of the deadliest encounters. In India and Nepal, rhinos cause the greatest number of wildlife-related human deaths each year, surpassing those caused by tigers and leopards. They have even been known to charge working elephants carrying tourists through the jungles. That does not make you want to stay behind them, though, especially when they pee… The jet flow goes vertically, not horizontally :)

Or so I heard. I don’t really have the guts to verify this…

Humans have been hunting rhinoceros for their horns, supposedly possessing magic/aphrodisiac powers. These horns make also great dagger handles.
Sadly, nowadays, only 5 species of rhinos are still living. Along the history line, the family was big:

Family Rhinocerotidae
Subfamily Rhinocerotinae

Tribe Aceratheriini
Aceratherium (extinct)
Acerorhinus (extinct)
Alicornops (extinct)
Aphelops (extinct)
Chilotheridium (extinct)
Chilotherium (extinct)
Dromoceratherium (extinct)
Floridaceras (extinct)
Hoploaceratherium (extinct)
Mesaceratherium (extinct)
Peraceras (extinct)
Plesiaceratherium (extinct)
Proaceratherium (extinct)
Sinorhinus (extinct)
Subchilotherium (extinct)
Tribe Teleoceratini
Aprotodon (extinct)
Brachydiceratherium (extinct)
Brachypodella (extinct)
Brachypotherium (extinct)
Diaceratherium (extinct)
Prosantorhinus (extinct)
Shennongtherium (extinct)
Teleoceras (extinct)
Tribe Rhinocerotini
Gaindatherium (extinct)
Rhinoceros - Indian & Javan Rhinoceros
Tribe Dicerorhinini
Coelodonta - Woolly Rhinoceros (extinct)
Dicerorhinus - Sumatran Rhinoceros
Dihoplus (extinct)
Lartetotherium (extinct)
Stephanorhinus (extinct)

Tribe Ceratotheriini
Ceratotherium - White Rhinoceros
Tribe Dicerotini
Diceros - Black Rhinoceros
Paradiceros (extinct)
Subfamily Elasmotheriinae
Gulfoceras (extinct)
Tribe Diceratheriini
Diceratherium (extinct)
Subhyracodon (extinct)
Trigodon (extinct)
Tribe Elasmotheriini
Bugtirhinus (extinct)
Caementodon (extinct)
Elasmotherium - Giant Unicorn (extinct)

Hispanotherium (extinct)

Huaqingtherium (extinct)
Iranotherium (extinct)
Kenyatherium (extinct)
Menoceras (extinct)
Ougandatherium (extinct)
Parelasmotherium (extinct)
Procoelodonta (extinct)
Sinotherium (extinct)
Subfamily Arsinotherinae
Tribe Arsinotheriini
Arsinotherium (extinct)


I learned that Pandas are extremely patient… The daily pilgrimage would drive anyone mad – all these crowds staring at you, takings thousands of photos and making funny faces… Bai Yun’s name means “white cloud” and besides bamboo, she loves apples. She’d do almost anything for one.

I wonder how the zoo is for this one. All these silly biped creatures, waving, jumping, running…anything to get his attention, really…

Yes, I know elephants are pachyderms. I know all about their feet, their ears and about their over 5 kg brain. But what I came to learn is that an elephant can use its trunk for many purposes; believe it or not, they actually wipe their eyes with it. And that, I did not know.

Pink flamingoes, suave like a dream. Until you get close to one, that is. I learned today that beautiful birds can easily chase you away with their smell…Other than that, they are still gracious.

January 10, 2007 – Caldera, Costa Rica

Consistency is good. I learn again that some things are perpetual. The shipwreck is still here in the port. It has been here for at least the past 3 years, but my colleagues say that based on how it looks, it has probably been there for the past 20 years…

January 17, 2007 – Tortola

Dolphins are the most amazing creatures. And most intelligent, I should think.
Their name comes from the ancient Greek term “delphis”, meaning “with a womb”.
A fish with a womb…and amazing ability of learning. I learned that dolphin-human interaction is boldly used nowadays in a curative purpose and that dolphins can work with autistic or disabled children. And as a new boundary of imagination, i read that military forces have employed dolphins for finding mines or to rescue lost or trapped humans.

In May 2005, researchers in Australia discovered an unsusual aspect of dolphin behavior: Some dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) teach their children to use tools. The most amazing example, dolphins break sponges off and then they cover their snouts with them for snouts protection while foraging. It is beleived that the knowledge of "how to" is mostly transferred from mother daulphins to daughters, which makes it unique. All other primates, pass the knowledge knowledge onto all the youngs, irrespective of sex.


2007: Year of the Dolphin
The year 2007 has been declared as (International) Year of the Dolphin by the United Nations and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
Campaign
The United Nations, member Governments, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and the private sector (e.g. TUI) are building a strong alliance to achieve a common objective: to protect dolphins.
Patron
The designated Patron of the Year of the Dolphin is H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, who formally launched the year on 17 September 2006. The Prince released a statement reading, "The Year of the Dolphin gives me the opportunity to renew my firm commitment towards protecting marine biodiversity. With this strong initiative we can make a difference to save these fascinating marine mammals from the brink of extinction."